| Market | Duty | VAT/tax | Clearing (est.) | Drive | Max age | Spec standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab EmiratesMiddle East (GCC) | 5% | 5% | $700 | LHD | — | GCC spec (ESMA / RTA) |
| Saudi ArabiaMiddle East (GCC) | 5% | 15% | $900 | LHD | 5 yr | GCC spec + SASO / SABER |
| QatarMiddle East (GCC) | 5% | 0% | $800 | LHD | — | GCC spec |
| KuwaitMiddle East (GCC) | 5% | 0% | $750 | LHD | 5 yr | GCC spec |
| OmanMiddle East (GCC) | 5% | 5% | $700 | LHD | — | GCC spec |
| IraqMiddle East | 15% | 0% | $1,100 | LHD | — | Local / GCC spec accepted |
| EgyptNorth Africa | 40% | 14% | $1,200 | LHD | 1 yr | New only (current model year) |
| RussiaCIS / Eastern Europe | 15% | 20% | $1,500 | LHD | — | EAC / GOST + utilization fee |
| MexicoLatin America | 20% | 16% | $1,100 | LHD | — | NOM compliance |
| ChileLatin America | 6% | 19% | $900 | LHD | — | Low-emission certificate |
| NigeriaSub-Saharan Africa | 35% | 7.5% | $1,400 | LHD | — | SONCAP certificate |
| South AfricaSub-Saharan Africa | 25% | 15% | $1,000 | RHD | — | NRCS / SABS homologation |
| AustraliaOceania | 5% | 10% | $1,300 | RHD | — | ADR + RAWS/full volume approval |
| ThailandSoutheast Asia | 80% | 7% | $900 | RHD | — | TIS + local EV incentives |
Indicative planning figures · reviewed June 2026
Market notes
Middle East (GCC)
United Arab Emirates
5% + 5%The region's main re-export hub. Jebel Ali (Dubai) is the primary entry point and many traders clear here before moving cars across the GCC and into Africa and CIS.
Saudi Arabia
5% + 15%The largest GCC car market. SABER/SASO conformity certificates are mandatory and enforced; cars must be GCC-spec with Arabic documentation.
Qatar
5% + 0%High-income, GCC-spec market with no VAT. Strong demand for well-equipped SUVs and premium EVs.
Kuwait
5% + 0%No VAT and a 5% unified GCC tariff. Hot climate makes GCC-spec cooling and heat-tolerant batteries essential.
Oman
5% + 5%Sohar and Salalah ports support trans-shipment. GCC-spec required; growing appetite for value SUVs and pickups.
Middle East
Iraq
15% + 0%Large, price-sensitive market accessed via Umm Qasr or overland from the UAE/Jordan. Rugged ICE SUVs and pickups dominate.
North Africa
Egypt
40% + 14%High duties on ICE cars (EVs are favoured with lower rates). Strict new-only rule. Local assembly incentives are reshaping the market.
CIS / Eastern Europe
Russia
15% + 20%The #1 destination for Chinese cars after Western brands exited. A large recycling/utilization fee applies on top of duty and VAT.
Latin America
Mexico
20% + 16%A booming Chinese-brand market and a gateway to Latin America. NOM certification and Spanish documentation required.
Chile
6% + 19%Open, low-tariff market (China FTA) and a long-standing testbed for new Chinese brands in Latin America.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Nigeria
35% + 7.5%High combined duty + levy. SONCAP conformity required. Durable, easy-to-service ICE vehicles preferred.
South Africa
25% + 15%Major right-hand-drive market and RHD hub for the region. Homologation via NRCS; strong demand for value SUVs and bakkies.
Oceania
Australia
5% + 10%Mature RHD market with strict ADR compliance. MG, BYD, Chery and GWM sell strongly. New-vehicle approval is demanding.
Southeast Asia
Thailand
80% + 7%Very high CBU duty pushes brands toward local assembly, but EV incentives have made it a Chinese-EV stronghold. RHD market.